Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 October 2004 — Page 7

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2004

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PACE A7

Kernan pushes to assist with heating bills

Special to Recorder Gov. Joe Keman and 16 other governors from both political parties today wrote in support of a request for $600 million in emergency federal funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Keman led the governors’ effort, which supports bipartisan requests by 37 members of the U.S. Senate and 60 members of the U.S. House of Representatives for the emergency funding. In the letter, the 17 governors emphasize the need for the additional funds, expressing concern that families across the country will find it difficult to pay heating bills this winter due to significant increases in energy prices. As well, they point out that energy prices have increased at a much faster rate than the federal funding for LI HEAP assistance. “While we are grateful that the Administration and Congress have increased LI HEAP funding in recent years, the number of households receiving assistance has dropped precipitously as energy costs have escalated despite significant state investments,” the governors wrote. “Since 2002, energy prices have risen 50 percent, while federal funding has increased by only 7 percent.” Indiana’s Energy Assistance program provides financial assistance to low-income households to maintain utility services during the winter heating season and limited funds for the purchase of tans during the summer months. Households with income at or below 125 percent of the poverty guidelines are eligible to receive the benefits. Last year, Indiana received $47 million in LI HEAP funds and was able to serve 126,000 households. The state hasn’t been notified yet of its share of the LIHEAP appropriation for this year. If Congress approves the $600 million request for emergency funding,

$14.5 million would come to Indiana, which could serve additional 49,300 households. “With predictions of colder than normal winter temperatures, coupled with rising costs, we know that many of our older Hoosiers and low-income families are going to be faced with very difficult choices,” Kernan said. “They shouldn’t have to choose between paying utility bills or buying groceries or prescription drugs.” For more information on Indiana s Energy'Assistance program is available at http:// \vw\v.in.gov/fssa/families/housing/eas.html or by calling one of the Community' Action Agencies listed beloyv.

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